Choose a topic and become familiar with who or what you want to write about. Many teachers give a general area or range to select a topic, but it is up to you to narrow your focus. For example, your teacher will assign you an English research topic about literary authors. Your research topic, therefore, would be a specific author, such as Ernest Hemingway.
In order to narrow down what you are searching for, ask your self a few questions prior to starting your English research paper. Decide what kind of information you are looking for, where to find it and how much data you need. The information includes general facts, news reports, opinions, personal reflections, analysis or history. Places to find information include libraries, the Internet and print/broadcast media.
State your thesis. A thesis is the central idea of your research paper, and careful research will result in you creating your thesis statement. For example, after researching information about William Shakespeare, a thesis statement such as, "William Shakespeare's plays focus on social divisions within small societies," would be an effective one.
Make an outline. Think of an outline as a schematic plan for your research paper. It is a way to organize all the information you have gathered about your research topic and placing it in the same order in which you want your paper to flow. Include an introduction, main points supporting your thesis and a conclusion.
Compose the first draft of your research paper. Use your outline to help you write the first draft. You need not worry about following a particular format on the first draft, but it is important to get all of your thoughts on paper.
Take as much time as you need to edit. It is imperative for you to proofread and revise the first draft of your English research paper. Check for misspelled words, grammatical errors, and overall structure. If necessary, reorganize the flow of your paper to make it read more clearly and smoothly. Once your paper is revised to your liking, proofread it again to ensure the work you are submitting meets the highest of standards.